vacation home dreams

2 Texas utopias thrive among 10 most affordable U.S. beach towns to buy a home

The Formosa Wetlands Walkway in Port Lavaca is a great spot for birdwatching.

portlavaca.org/

Texans who have longed to buy a home on the Gulf Coast can make their dream a reality by searching for their next home in Port Lavaca or Corpus Christi, which were both named on Realtor.com's list of the 12 most affordable American beach towns for homebuyers in 2025.

Realtor.com's economists narrowed down the numerous list of American beach destinations based on which towns had at least 50 active residential home listings for the month of April 2025, then ranked them by their median list prices for single-family homes (including condos but excluding mobile homes). To keep the list fair, only two towns were included per state in the top 12.

Located about 130 miles from Houston, Port Lavaca ranked as the No. 5 most affordable beach town with the fifth-most budget-friendly housing prices this past spring. Homes in this quaint Texas town were on the market for a median price of $292,000 in April, the report found.

Realtor.com said Port Lavaca is a restful place that beckons visitors to "take a breather from the chaotic pace of modern life" through calming activities such as nature walks. The town is also situated along a "major migratory flyway" for 400 different bird species, making it an ideal destination for birdwatching.

"Although the town is small, with just 11,000 year-round inhabitants, it is not short on attractions and activities, from relaxing on Magnolia Beach to taking a stroll in Bayfront Peninsula Park," the report's author wrote.

Port Lavaca is also home to one of the top-10 best barbecue restaurants in Texas, LaVaca BBQ, plus several historical monuments and the Calhoun County Museum for any history enthusiasts that want to learn more about the small town.

6930 Anastasia, Corpus Christi home for sale This beautiful property in Corpus Christi is on the market for $287,900, which is more affordable than the April median list price for a home in the city.Photo courtesy of Zillow

The (much busier) city of Corpus Christi ranked as the 8th most affordable beach town in America, with April homes selling for a median price of $310,000. The report said Corpus Christi's bustling population of more than 300,000 residents makes it the most populous city on the list for 2025.

Corpus Christi is located just over 200 miles from Houston, and spans more than 100 miles of beaches, including parts of both Padre Island National Seashore and Mustang Island State Park. From water-based activities like kayaking, surfing, or fishing, to visiting iconic attractions like the Selena Museum, Texas State Aquarium, or the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History, there's no shortage of things to do in this coastal paradise.

The 12 most affordable beach towns for homebuyers are:

No. 1 – Pascagoula, Mississippi
No. 2 – Deerfield Beach, Florida
No. 3 – Atlantic City, New Jersey
No. 4 – Port Richey, Florida
No. 5 – Port Lavaca, Texas
No. 6 – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
No. 7 – Ocean Springs, Mississippi
No. 8 – Corpus Christi, Texas
No. 9 – Surfside Beach, South Carolina
No. 10 – Long Beach, Washington
No. 11 – Ocean Shores, Washington
No. 12 – Ocean City, Maryland

beach texas housing market real estate vacation

How Sweet

Sugar Land's first new apartment complex in 13 years breaks ground

Pearl Lake Pointe luxury apartment complex Sugar Land.

Rendering Courtesy of Morgan

Pearl Lake Pointe is a 376-unit luxury apartment complex slated for early summer 2027 in Sugar Land.

Sugar Land is welcoming its first new apartment development in more than a decade. Pearl Lake Pointe, a 376-unit luxury community from developers Morgan and Carlyle, is underway at 16435 Creekbend Drive.

Construction began in November, with an official groundbreaking held this week. “The groundbreaking of Pearl Lake Pointe marks an exciting new chapter for the Lake Pointe peninsula,” Sugar Land Mayor Carol K. McCutcheon said in a statement. “After years of planning and collaboration with Morgan, this project delivers much-needed, high-quality multifamily housing and strengthens our long-term vision for a vibrant, connected district. This milestone will help drive continued reinvestment and momentum throughout Lake Pointe and across Sugar Land.”

Set across 6.46 acres, the five-story complex will feature five live-work units, a six-story parking garage, and 9,940 square feet of commercial office space. Fitness centers, a resort-inspired pool, a golf simulator, a sky lounge, and a cafe are among the planned amenities.

Inside the residences, features include open-concept floor plans, quartz countertops, stainless-steel appliances, washers and dryers, and balconies in select units.

“Pearl Lake Pointe is a unique opportunity to elevate the living experience and set a new benchmark for luxury in Sugar Land,” Kase Pappert, Morgan senior development manager, said. “We are grateful for the City’s partnership and look forward to helping re-energize the Lake Pointe peninsula with a welcoming community that feels like home and connects residents to the amenities right outside their door.”

Roughly 20 miles from downtown Houston, the site has views of Brooks Lake and is adjacent to the former Fluor corporate campus currently being transformed into the Lake Pointe Green mixed-use development.

The first Pearl Lake Pointe units are slated for delivery in early summer 2027. Morgan and Carlyle will own and manage the community, with project financing provided by Texas Capital Bank.

“With Pearl Lake Pointe, Carlyle and Morgan are redefining multifamily living and adding meaningful momentum to address the demand for high-quality housing in the Sugar Land submarket,” said Adam Buchwald, Carlyle managing director and partner. “Partnering with Morgan — an accomplished developer with a strong track record — makes this project even more exciting, and Pearl Lake Pointe is a standout addition to Carlyle’s portfolio of high-quality multifamily developments.”

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